What I Learned
The term Franciacorta refers to a region in north central Italy. The term Franciacorta also refers to a production method. Thirdly, this same term refers to its sparkling wines.
Tag Archives: Italy
Franciacorta Saten: Trail in a Nutshell
Trail Name(s): Itinerario 1/Percorso Giallo (yellow)/Franciacorta Saten
Trail Type: Mid-distance circuit; mostly hard-packed gravel or paved in built up areas, well maintained and marked.
Length: total: 30 km/18.25 miles
Convenient to: Lake Iseo, Italy, Brescia, Italy, and about 75 minutes from Milan.
Marking: Brown rectangular sign with white and yellow writing (“Itinerario 1”, “Percorso Giallo” “Saten”)
Gallery August 2014
Middle Etsch Valley Vines
Streams along the Trail
Sunlit field in the Dolomites
Castle above Terlan
In the Etsch Valley
Nals under Snow-topped Alps
Wine Estate outside Bozen
Castle near Terlan
Window Grill
Above Riex
Terraces, Alps and Lake Geneva
Alleyway in Saint Saphorin
Vines and Alps on Lake Geneva
Corner in Riex
Terraces and Lake Geneva
Passageway in Saint Saphorin
Alto Adige: A Trail of Lagrein and Sauvignon
The Alto Adige is Italy’s name for the province beginning north of Trento, and continuing north to the Austrian border. Formerly a part of Austria, this bilingual region has another name for itself: the Suedtirol (South Tirol). In this area, grapes grow on the sunny side of the Dolomites mountains. To highlight its wine-making culture, landscape and traditions, the region has developed three biking circuits that allow wine-enthusiast bicyclists to explore this beautiful area.
Continue reading Alto Adige: A Trail of Lagrein and Sauvignon
Wine Notes: Suedtirol/Alto Adige
What I Learned:
Lagrein, Vernatsch and Gerwuerztraminer are three grape varieties traditionally grown in this South Tirol Region.
Suedtirol Weinstrasse – Trail of Lagrein and Sauvignon: Trail in a Nutshell
Trail Name: Trail of Lagrein and Sauvignon/Weinroute Nord (Northern Wine Route) of the Suedtirol Weinstrasse.
Trail Type: Mid-distance cycling circuit; almost exclusively paved, well maintained, but the route itself is not marked.
Length: Total: 45 km/28 miles
Convenient to: Bozen/Bolzano, Suedtirol/Alto Adige, Italy
Continue reading Suedtirol Weinstrasse – Trail of Lagrein and Sauvignon: Trail in a Nutshell
Biking Franciacorta’s Green Route
Green is supposedly a calming color, I recalled as I cycled along Franciacorta’s Percorso Verde (Green Route). There could be some truth in that: The amount of green on this route seems to have created the most relaxed, carefree people I have met in a long time – and I count myself among that group on that delightful day.
I first noticed it in the town of Paratico, on the hill overlooking Lake Iseo. As I was photographing the incredibly blue lake spreading out in the distance, several runners came uphill behind me. Male and female, of all ages and sizes, they were obviously enjoying themselves on a group “fun-run”, and wanted me to photograph them as well.
Wine Notes: Franciacorta
What I Learned:
The wine region of Franciacorta was given a huge boost in the 11th Century with the arrival of monks, to include some from the famous French monastery of Cluny. Since then, the wines have only improved. The term Franciacorta can refer not only to the territory, but also the method of production. In recognition of its superior quality, wines from this region using the defined Franciacorta production techniques, were the first to be awarded the quality marking of DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), the highest rating in the Italian quality pyramid.
Franciacorta Brut: Trail in a Nutshell
Trail Name(s): Franciacorta Brut/Itinerario 3/Percorso Verde (Green)
Trail Type: short distance cycling circuit; mostly hard-packed gravel or paved in built-up areas, well maintained and marked.
Length: total: 30 km/18 miles
Convenient to: Brescia, Lombardy, Italy Continue reading Franciacorta Brut: Trail in a Nutshell